Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin. This week includes information on
- October Half Term Activities
- Contacting the SEND Team
- Head of SEND
- SNAP Parent Carer Forum Information Session -Local Offer Infomation Booklet feedback
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‘My angry balloon' local author Clare Sealey to present her new book - a story that will help children regulate and understand their feelings of anger - a SNAP PCF event
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Mental Health in the Media - CAMHSTalk
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Have your say ... Short Breaks Consultation
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5 week training course for pre-diagnosed & newly diagnosed families - Parent/Carer Workshop - Autism Bedfordshire
- My Future Pre Employment Programme
- What's On
- Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee Mornings
October Half Term Activities
Looking for things to do in Half-Term, we have lots of activities happening, such as Swimming sessions, Sensory Movement workshops, Forest Schools and Halloween activities.
Contacting the SEND Team
We are aware that some parents are experiencing difficulties contacting the Statutory SEND Team and wanted to offer some explanation and helpful information going forward
Currently the SEND Team have several vacancies, which we have successfully recruited to, however at this time, it does mean the team is not running at full capacity. The Team are working very hard to respond to queries from parents as soon as possible and no later than 3 working days.
Alternatively, please call your linked SEND officer, if they are unable to answer they will respond to your voicemail within 3 working days. Details of your linked SEND locality team can be found on the Local Offer.
If you have an urgent query and would like to speak with someone, please call Statass on 0300 300 8356 between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday, or 9.00 am to 4:30 pm on Friday to speak to a SEND Team member who will pass your message on.
Please note that if your query includes any safeguarding concerns, for example:
- you believe a child may be at risk of harm
- current/previous involvement with Social Care
- concerns around the general care or environment in which a child resides or is educated
then please contact Central Bedfordshire Access & Referral Hub directly by calling 0300 300 8585 (Mon-Thurs 8:45 am to 5.20pm & Fri 8:45am to 4:20pm) or email cs.accessandreferral@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
For more information about SEND, including advisory services, activities, local support groups and childcare, as well as how education providers support children with SEND, please look at Central Bedfordshire Council’s Local Offer.
Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time .
Helen Phelan
AD SEND
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Head of SEND
Jackie Edwards, our Chief Officer for SEND is retiring next summer and we want to ensure that there is a good and timely succession plan to avoid any disruption in the leadership of the service.
We are currently advertising for a new Head of SEND and we hope to recruit to this role in the coming weeks, with the successful applicant starting in Spring 2023. Jackie is very much looking forward to working alongside the new Head of SEND and doing a thorough handover.
View the Job advert
We want to thank Jackie for her hard work over the many years she’s been at Central Bedfordshire Council, and we wish her all the best in the future. There will, of course be plenty of opportunities next year to say farewell to Jackie.
Helen Phelan
AD, SEND
SNAP Parent Carer Forum Information Session - Local Offer Information Booklet feedback
‘My angry balloon' local author Clare Sealey to present her new book - a story that will help children regulate and understand their feelings of anger - a SNAP PCF event
We really hope you can join us for this session to meet with a local author who has used her experiences as a mum and working in education to write this book which has just been published.
We will send our members a Zoom link nearer the time. If you are not a member and would like to attend please email admin@snappf.org.uk - membership is free and open to parents who live in Central Bedfordshire and has a child or young person with any additional needs (a diagnosis is not required)
 
Mental Health in the Media
CAMHS latest podcast features a discussion about Mental Health in the media between Marianne, Quin, Molly and Kieran, a trainee Clinical Psychologist who was recently on placement with CAMHS.
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Have your say ... Short Breaks Consultation
 Don't forget to have a say ... We have launched a consultation to gain views on how we can better meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) through our existing funding approach for short break leisure activities.
This consultation was created in partnership with SNAP parent carer forum, as well as parents from Central Bedfordshire who have children with SEND.
Currently, there are six suppliers that we work with to provide short break leisure activities, and this consultation aims to find out if the current funding model enables organisations to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND in Central Bedfordshire, or if more variety is needed.
To read the full consultation document which has more details about this service, as well as how to have your say, visit: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations
Closing date: 10 November 2022
5 week training course for pre-diagnosed & newly diagnosed families - Parent/Carer Workshop - Autism Bedfordshire
09:45 am - 1:00 pm, Saturdays 12, 19, 26 November and 3, 10 December
 Email enquiriea@autismbeds.org or call 01234 214871
My Future Pre Employment Programme
 Email angela.amitrano@autismbeds.org or call 01234 214871
What's on Calendar
Due to feedback from the SNAP PCF Parent/Carer Survey we have updated our What's on Calendar on the Local Offer. Now you will be able to click on a date and a list of events that are happening that day will appear on the right hand side. Just click on the event that you are interested in to read more information about it. So check it out and let us know what you think by emailing local.offer@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee Mornings
Leighton Buzzard Mencap Opportunity Group
Thursdays 10 – 11:30 (Termtime only)
Casual chat & play session for parents, carers & their children who have additional needs. Support for parents, carers & their children who have additional needs.
Ring 01525 384368 to book on.
SEND Stay and Play
Every Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 am
Dunstable Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8106/0300 300 8104
SEND Support coffee afternoon every second Monday of the month,
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Shefford and Stotfold Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8112
SEND Support coffee afternoon every 4th Thursday of the month,
1:30 – 2:30 am
Flitwick Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8111
SEND Coffee morning, Stay and Play every first and third Friday of the month,
10:30 – 11:30 am
Houghton Regis Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8115
Support group for parents or carers with children who have SEND
Biggleswade Youth Centre - every other Wednesday, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Fortnightly catch ups and support online and face-to-face. A chance to speak to professionals from the CDC, Early Years Support Team, Speech and Language plus more.
To book a free place contact Karen on 0300 300 6009 or email karen.burton@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Please visit the Local Offer for more information on activities, services, advice and support across Central Bedfordshire for children and young people with SEND or follow us on Facebook
We hope you have found the information in the bulletin helpful. We would love to hear your feedback and what you would like to see in future editions. Please let us know by emailing send.feedback@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Do you provide a service or run events for children and young people with SEND and their families?
We would like to offer providers the opportunity to advertise local SEND services and events in our fortnightly SEND news bulletin, on our local offer Facebook page and to be included in the local offer What's On page.
If you would like to be featured then please email details about your service and/or event to local.offer@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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